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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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BICYCLE SAFETY ALONG ROUTE 36 Sometimes, all the players just need to be at the same table. Such was the case with the proposed bike passageway along Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands. At a meeting earlier this week, members of the New Jersey Department of Transportation outlined the improvements to Memorial Parkway with members of the Atlantic Highlands governing body as well as representatives from our local state legislators.. To each side’s credit, open minds and frank dialogue carried the day. DOT project managers explained how the bike improvements came to fruition while Atlantic Highlands representatives expressed our safety concerns about Route 36. In defense of the DOT, they were addressing a situation that was brought to their attention by cyclists. According to the DOT, once the department is notified of a dangerous condition, they have an obligation along their highways to address the issue. In a nutshell, the DOT wants to narrow the inside lanes of Rt. 36 by one foot, while expanding the outside lanes to 15 feet. All of this could be accomplished without taking any additional property or uprooting the trees that line Memorial Parkway. The expansion of the lanes would accommodate bike traffic but the proposal does not overtly encourage bike traffic, nor was a specific line drawn along the shoulder that designates the lane as cyclists only. At the end of the day, the DOT will not be going forward with the plans in the immediate future. The department requested a formal letter from the Mayor and Council detailing the concerns along Route 36 and asked for the Police Chief to provide his safety recommendations as well. All parties promised that communication will remain open and that future plans will be discussed and carefully reviewed. The proposed plans were not as drastic as originally feared, and the DOT was open to listen to community input. As so often happens, the meeting cleared the air and opened a dialogue for the future. The modest plans can be viewed at borough hall, and those interested are encouraged to review the plans and send their feedback in the form of a letter to the Mayor and Council. The bike passageway is far from a done deal and the DOT deserves to be thanked for responding to local officials safety concerns.
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